What literary device gives human characteristics to non-human entities or animals?

Personification is the literary device that attributes human characteristics, emotions, and behaviors to non-human entities, such as animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. This technique is often employed to create vivid imagery and enable readers to connect more deeply with the subject by evoking empathy or familiarity.

For instance, when an author writes that the wind "whispered" through the trees, the use of personification allows the reader to imagine the breeze as having a gentle, human-like quality, thereby enhancing the emotional impact of the scene. By envisioning non-human elements as capable of human actions, readers can gain a richer understanding and appreciation of the narrative's themes or messages.

Other devices, such as metaphor and simile, serve different purposes in literature. A metaphor makes direct comparisons between unrelated subjects, whereas a simile uses "like" or "as" for comparison. Hyperbole involves exaggerated statements that aren't meant to be taken literally. Understanding the distinct role of personification within the broader landscape of literary devices is key to analyzing and appreciating literature.